Everest English Blog

 Prompt Response: I remember my first Thanksgiving with all of my aunts on my dad's side with my grandpa and grandma. By the time my grandma was done cooking there was no space left on the counters, you had to take your plate elsewhere. There were friends and family all throughout to be frank it was overwhelming at the time. It was the first memory I have of a huge get together like that so it made an impact of seeing everyone just happy to see one another. Thanksgiving day was also the first time I had a root beer float. That was amazing.  Summary: In class we read more of the Color Purple, and completed a quiz on such chapters or "letters".  Reflection: I don't have huge get-togethers like that with my family anymore. I don't know if I miss it. Although when I'm older, I will take note of my grandma's ways of getting everyone into a house that I care about. To treat them to a nice meal and a good time.   

 Prompt Response: I remember the day I realized my cousin is a picky eater when I was 17 and he was 16. He said no to eating a salad because he doesn't eat greens. He then refused seafood because he didn't like it despite not trying it once. I wasn't annoyed instead I was hysterical. This kid refused to eat something that he had never tried before off vibes alone.  Summary: In class we split into small groups to read a series of chapters on and respond to questions on writable.  Reflection: I think the reason I found my cousin's limited pallet of food hilarious was due to my huge family growing up. If you wanted something to eat you had to eat faster than everyone else and grab it. Then sometimes there wasn't your favorite on the table and you eat it quick because you didn't wanna be hungry. To contrast this with my cousin who typically go what he wanted to eat with how much of it he wanted was humorous to me. 

 Prompt Response: When I don't want to do something hard I think of my step-dad. He taught me to evaluate my options and decide do I really want this. If the answer is yes, then what am I going to do to make it happen. If I wanted to do something I need to consider what needs to be done and do it. Even if it hurts or is hard if its what I want then I must do it.  Summary: In class we read more of The Color Purple with answering some questions on writable.  Reflection: Its hard for me to think of just one person who has helped me push forward because I've been lucky enough to have had countless people push me in just the right way to make the person I am today. 

Prompt Response: I wanted the video to match what I was imagining in my mind when reading the story, so the bits where its just smoking with lines of dialog are what I envision while reading the story. I also wanted to bring some joy to my letter because for the most part its depressing so I added some humor to end off on.  Summary: In class we presented our videos while the class watched.  Reflection: I wanted my video to match the tone of the chapter as much as possible while adding some levity at the end. I am happy with how my video ended up but if we ever do something like this again there is much I want to improve on. For example my video ended abruptly, and steal some ideas from my classmates like reading the lines aloud. 

 Prompt Response: I remember I was arguing with my cousin about something stupid and we ultimately sat in silence with one another at a park. It was late at night and dead quiet, then we both heard a odd squawk from a bird from the nearby pond. We both had a light laugh that transitioned into uncontrollable laughter as we found catharsis in laughter with one another.  Summary: In class we read more of The Color Purple, and worked on our adobe project about our assigned letter of the novel.  Reflection: It's funny how I don't remember how most arguments start but I remember the ends of them. The good and the bad. Though the arguments that end in laughter draw us closer despite the divide that begun to form at the argument. 

 Prompt Response: Some bad advice I heard when I was younger was something along the lines of "your elders are always correct". That is obviously false. Although I didn't think this at first. I wanted to obey and make them proud so I did as I was told. When eventually their advice went astray I thought it was my failure but with time I realized blind obedience won't carry you through life in a fulfilling manner.  Summary: In class we read more letters from The Color Purple and worked on our adobe video project about our assigned letter.  Reflection: The older I get the more I'm able to find my own path and the less I require/search for advice from my elders like parents. I think this is mostly due to growing up but part of me thinks it may be due to their advice failing me in the past I hardly look for advice now. 

 Prompt Response: I want to learn more about what happened to Nettie in the novel. She said she would only stop writing if she died, but we the audience know she comes back later on so I want to know what kept her from seeing Celie.  Summary: In class we read letters 7-17ish.  Reflection: I can only imagine having to leave your beloved sister behind just because your husband said so due to his own selfish desires. I hope they explore more of Celie's feelings about Mr.__ and making her sister leave. 

 Prompt Response: My older step brother inspired me a lot when I was little. I was always a follower when I was little and listened even when it hurt me. He showed me you can rebel, if you believe it to be worth it. Of course he was much more of a rebel than me for stuff I deemed meaningless. What was important was showing that you could say no and make your own path regardless of what others thought of you.  Summary: In class we read letters 6-10, and answered questions on a paper about those letters.  Reflection: I tend to always forget how important figures and role models in your life can be. Now that I look back I took after my brother more than I thought. I can remember times when I would hold my tongue but after him I had the courage to speak my mind. 

 Prompt Response: At the third paragraph of the third letter I was repulsed in a way I didn't expect so early. The raw way the author explains what happens to the main character was horrible, and effective. It made the immediate reality of this girl apparent and grim. I'm sicken by the story but I want to read more.  Summary: In class we read the first five letters of The Color Purple.  Reflection: The instant shock and repulsion I felt after reading just one page was shocking. I can't believe how sudden the story falls on you but it still feels believable in a way that makes your gut hurt. 

 Prompt Response: When I was young this applied to my dad. I feared him and admired him. I admired how he could work so hard and keep going but when he punished me I had this fear of him. That fear didn't go away until I was about 14. The idea of goodness is subjective to what you want to enjoy/acknowledge and once you know that life becomes simpler.  Summary: In class we read The Lamb and The Tyger. Along with that we worked on our one pager about those previously mentioned poems.  Reflection: When I think of the lamb and the tiger I can't help but relate more the tiger. For me its hard to relate to the absolute innocence and blind obedience of the lamb. I think most would choose to be beautiful and dangerous versus innocent and pure. 

 Prompt Response: The biggest thing I do to enjoy my day is engage in small talk or conversion with my friends. It helps keep the day light. One thing I personally do is write down everything I have to do. This way my tasks feel smaller and more manageable. A final thing I do to enjoy my day is having my alone time with no stimulus where I just think and decompress.  Summary: We continued to read Fences in class.  Reflection: I think making sure you have a balance of social interactions with alone time is the best way to go about enjoying yourself when you are busy. When you are busy sometimes you just need to slow down and appreciate what's around you. It can keep you grounded so you can be level headed for the rest of the day.

 Prompt Response: When I started wrestling I hadn't done a sport in years or anything involving cardio. Then jumping into wrestling was a challenge to say the least. I couldn't breathe and I felt like a loser for months. It took a long time but eventually I got my footing and expanded my gas tank. I used to dread matches now I look forward to them.  Summary: We read fences during class.  Reflection: I have a love hate relationship with wrestling. Though starting out it was all hate. I don't know how I kept at it for so long with that hatred. Eventually I got better and I still remember winning my first match. I still cherish that win, due to how much effort I had to put forward to achieve it. 

 Prompt Response: I don't typically remember my dreams but when I do they are one of two types. Either some sort of nightmare or a boring plain dream. The plain ones stick with me because they seem like memories but they only mimic reality. I dreamt of going away to college and making new friends.  Summary: We worked on our poster.  Reflection: Dreams are funny things. I see a lot of literature trying to make sense of them. I think of Freud when dreams are brought up since he tried understanding them long ago in his own way. Not sure if he a had a point or not though having read through some of his stuff.